Review of 'dark ages' policy
OUT of Selkirk's 95 retail outlets, 11 are unoccupied, according to a survey by Scottish Borders Council.
That 12 per cent vacancy rate is only slightly lower than supermarket-dominated Galashiels (14 per cent), but far in excess of nearby Melrose (four per cent).
The research, carried out in December, has prompted councillors this week to review a planning policy working against shopkeepers already beset by recession.
The review was ordered following the case of Innerleithen ice-cream supremo Andrew Caldwell, whose retrospective bid for consent for an illuminated sign was rejected by SBC officials and, later, by the Scottish Government because it did not comply with guidelines relating to conservation areas.
Backing the review, Selkirkshire councillor Kenneth Gunn said, under current policy, all shops in the Borders would be "battleship grey".
"It's time we came out of the dark ages," said Mr Gunn, revealing that a shop in Selkirk had been threatened with enforcement for an alleged similar breach of the guidelines. The Wee Paper understands it refers to long-established High Street butcher J. A. Waters & Son which has received a letter from SBC after a single complaint from a member of the public about new signage, which is not even illuminated.
Proprietor Darren Hoggan was unavailable for comment yesterday, but one regular customer told us: "This is a disgrace when local shops are fighting to survive. The renovation at the shop, both inside and out, is magnificent."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Selkirk
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 2 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North west
